MJAAs vs. Canada U20 Trophy Qualifier Ends Saturday

The second leg of the World Trophy Qualifier with the AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans facing Canada U20s will be on June 17 at Ellerslie Rugby Park with the kick off at 2pm ET. The match will once again be streamed live via Rugby Canada’s Facebook page. The winner of this qualifier will represent North America in Montevideo, Uruguay, in September.

The USA Rugby AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans will have a difficult time qualifying for the World Rugby U20 Trophy after Canada’s U20 team’s 46-12 win at Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton Tuesday. Not only will the USA need to win on Saturday, but they will need to make up a 34 point deficit.

Malon Al_jiboori will continue to captain the side at blindside flanker with Jack Miller joining him at openside flanker with Nafi Maafu moving to No. 8. Tommy Clark earns a start at lock with Daemon Torres switching sides at lock. In the front row, Chance Wenglewski switches to tighthead prop, with Payton Talea starting at loosehead prop with hooker Jack Iscaro retaining his postition.

The halfbacks remain unchanges with Ruben de Hass and Samuel Walsh. Their is a new wing combination of Peter Howard and Eagle Deion Mikesell. Harley Wheeler moves from wing to outside center with inside center, Christian Dyer and fullback Cristian Rodriguez retaining their positions.

The reserves include Eagle Lorenzo Thomas and Boys High School All-Americans captain Bailey Wilson.

Canada is in a strong position to claim the North America spot in the World Rugby Trophy U20 tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay in September as they have a 34-point advantage into Game 2 after a dominate 46-12 win in Game 1 Tuesday at Ellerslie Rugby Park.

The forwards will consist of Liam Murray, Dewald Kotze and Cole Keith at front row with Liam Doll and Matt Beukeboom at lock. Lachlan Currie will be the blindside flanker and partner with James O’Neill at openside flanker. Jake Thiel joins the backrow at No. 8.

The halfback combination of Fraser Hurst and Will Kelly was effective Tuesday, with Hurst earning Man of the Match honors ad Kelly kicking 11 points.

The centers will be Josh Thiel and captain George Barton and inside and outside, respectively with the backline of Elias Ergas and Anton Ngongo on the wings and Aidan McMullan at fullback.

Canada took a 19-12 lead into halftime before their attack exploded for 27 poits in the second half.